Rep. Carey Opening Statement: We Want to Make Sure Government Policies Are Working For People with Disabilities Who Want to Work

Today, Rep. Mike Carey (OH-15) delivered the following opening statement at a joint hearing of the Subcommittees on Social Security and Work & Welfare to discuss barriers to work and how policymakers can support opportunities for individuals with disabilities to establish, renew, or strengthen their connection to the workforce.

As prepared for delivery.

"I am filling in today for Chairman LaHood - but as a Member of both Subcommittees I'm glad we are focusing on this topic and giving it the time and attention it deserves.

"Before I begin, I would like to recognize our colleague, Work and Welfare Subcommittee Ranking Member, Danny Davis. Representative Davis recently announced he will retire next year from Congress after representing Illinois' 7th Congressional District for nearly 30 years. Representative Davis has been a tireless advocate and champion for children and families throughout his decades of public service and has been a leader on this Committee. Thank you for your work. We wish you the best.

"I would also like to echo my colleagues to recognize and celebrate 90 years of Social Security and all it's done to provide seniors with certainty that they will have a safety net in retirement.

"These are benefits that seniors have earned and paid into, and the government has made a promise that they will receive their benefits on time and in full. I am proud to be a supporter of social security and to continue delivering on that promise every day.

"For this hearing, our goal is to focus on two important disability programs at the Social Security Administration - Disability Insurance (DI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

"These programs are essential for providing protection for millions of individuals with disabilities across the country.

"I am proud to say that last year my home state of Ohio, through our Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities agency, worked with nearly 37,000 Ohioans with disabilities in their pursuit of meaningful work and independent lives.

"The vast majority of SSI and DI recipients cannot work. But some do work part-time or want to return to work as their medical condition may change, or as technology advances to provide better accommodations and accessibility in the workplace.

"According to a survey by the Social Security Administration:

• The majority of SSI and DI beneficiaries reported being 'work oriented,' with a goal of working or advancing in a career; and
• Roughly 18 percent saw themselves working enough to leave disability benefits in the next five years.

"For these individuals, we want to make sure government policies are working in their favor and not discouraging or putting up walls that make it harder to connect to work.

"This is the first hearing we've had to review SSA's return-to-work policies since 2015 and I think it is overdue.

"Currently, there are some incentives in place to encourage individuals to return to work and earn wages-but all the evidence suggests they aren't effective.

"As an example, the Ticket to Work program was put in place in 1999. But according to the SSA's survey, only 1 out of 3 beneficiaries have even heard of Ticket to Work.

"There are policies to help individuals maintain their Medicaid and Medicare coverage, but many don't know about them.

"I am particularly concerned about reports that fear of overpayments discourages work attempts. Last Congress, I introduced bipartisan legislation called the 'Protecting Americans from Social Security Claw Back Act,' to address overpayments made through no fault of the beneficiary and am committed to continuing to focus on ways to decrease overpayment rates at the SSA.

"All of our government programs need to be oriented to provide every opportunity for individuals to reach their full capacity.

"We know that work brings dignity and purpose, and government should never get in the way of that.

"I hope that we can work together with my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to find bipartisan ways to improve outcomes for disabled individuals.

"I am honored to have our witnesses here today and look forward to learning more about this important issue."